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Request Help

There are many ways to get help from the Nebraska Resource Project for Vulnerable Young Children (NRPVYC) on issues involving maltreated young children. Help can be provided on a limited basis as issues arise or we can be involved longer-term in working with cases involving young children.

Types of Help

Quick TA

You have a case-specific question or want some advice on how to handle an issue

Examples:

How do I know what to look for in a therapist for a young child?

Do young children even know when there is domestic violence or substance abuse? How do they respond?

How do I know if this child care setting is appropriate?

When should we be making a referral for a Child-Parent Psychotherapy/Safe Start Assessment?

TA on Specific Issue Identified by Court or Team

Your team has identified the issue it wants to work on

Examples:

We would like to increase the number of kids receiving Part C EDN services through the ESUs/school districts. We get referrals made to EDN but the evaluation is often not done because the parent doesn’t consent or the child doesn’t qualify after evaluation.

Too many young children seem to be medicated on our cases. We don’t know the standards for medication for young children or what to do if we think they are being overmedicated. We don’t have access to any psychiatrists in our area.

General TA

Your team would like to improve outcomes for cases involving young children but would like some assistance in identifying areas of needs and recommending and implementing changes.

NRPYVC staff will observe court hearings, attend related staffings and meetings, meet with court professionals, and review relevant research and best practices.

An Initial Report will be sent to the team with the following sections:

Clarification of TA being provided,

Observations,

Recommendations,

How we can help.

The team and NRPVYC will agree on the issues, time period, and TA to be provided.

Evaluation

Your team would like an individualized data evaluation about a specific topic (which can be especially helpful to areas implementing new projects or procedures because the evaluation can help them assess the results).

What do you want to find out about?
Examples: How often are cases being referred for CPP assessments and how often is CPP actually happening? How many children under 5 are on medication?

Ways data and information can be collected:

Court observation

Case file review

Parent surveys

Examples:

Lancaster County is evaluating cases involved in a substance abuse track. The track uses specialized case management, frequent team meetings with all parties present, informal check-in with the judge at the end of team meetings and enhanced support (training and reflective consultation) for the caseworkers. Evaluation includes case progression timeliness and assessment of parents’ perceptions of their involvement in the case, fairness of the proceedings, and knowledge of the steps needed to get their
children back.